Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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36 APRIL 2022 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY PATRICK ENGEL K yle Hamilton took a break from pre-draft training in California to return to Notre Dame's pro day for one event only — and one that lasts about as long as it takes him to tie his shoe. The former Irish safety wanted a do- over in the 40-yard dash, even though NFL teams told him his prior attempt that fell below expectations mattered little in the big picture evaluation. Still, his 4.59-second time at the NFL Com- bine March 6 tied for the slowest of the 15 safeties who ran, well below the 4.47 goal he set when he started prepping. It left him with a sour feeling despite an otherwise stellar weekend. So he went back to Los Angeles, kept training and took aim at a do-over at pro day. It was the only drill he did in the four-plus hour outing. The result was a small improvement to 4.56 seconds. "Still didn't do as well as I wanted to, but it was faster than the combine," Hamilton said. "I'll take it. It is what it is. At the end of the day, we're playing football. But I always want to compete, put up good times." Improving that combine time was a matter of pride that trumped practicality. His first 40 time had negligible impact on his status as a projected top-10 pick with a chance to go in the top five. That's where he began the combine. Since then, he has largely remained there in mock drafts and prospect rankings. Impressive numbers in the vertical jump (38 inches), broad jump (10 feet 11 inches) and an on- field workout that drew positive reviews seemed to carry more weight. ESPN NFL Draft analysts Todd Mc- Shay and Mel Kiper Jr. each slotted Hamilton as the No. 2 overall pick to the Detroit Lions in their respective March mock drafts and downplayed Hamil- ton's combine 40 time. His three years of game tape that includes eight inter- ceptions and his 6-4, 220-pound frame are a compelling sales pitch on their own. "This is a unique kid, a rare talent," Kiper said. "Kyle Hamilton can do any- thing you want a safety to do. He plays a lot faster than 4.59, he has incredible length, athletic ability, really good in- stincts. He tackles well. "The way the game is played today, he's a guy defensive coordinators are really going to like." All told, disappointment from the 40 was internal more than external. It did not, though, knock down his confi- dence. Some draft analysts view Ham- ilton as the best player available regard- less of position. Asked if he supports that idea, he delivered an unwavering affirmation. "Of course, I believe that," Hamilton said. "Everybody should believe that, whether you're first round or seventh round. Without that mindset, you're not going to get very far. "If you go in thinking, 'I'm the fifth- or sixth-best player in the draft,' that's not going to make any team want me or help me make big plays. I feel like I've carried myself that way ever since I started playing sports — know you're the best, go compete like the best, show you're the best." Hamilton will continue working out in California as individual meetings with teams pick up. The Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints are among the NFL teams he has spoken with or was set to meet with via Zoom. The Seahawks and Giants hold picks in the top 10. Teams can do in-person interviews and individual workouts with prospects in the weeks before the draft, which takes place April 28-30 in Las Vegas. Hamilton plans to attend. If his stay in the green room is as short as expected, he'd join rare company among safeties and Notre Dame defenders. Cornerback Todd Lyght (No. 5, 1991) and defensive tackle Bryant Young (No. 7, 1994) are the only two Irish de- fensive players taken in the top 10 since 1979. If he cracks the top five, he would be just the fourth safety taken that high since 1991. Every workout, interview and training session since declaring in mid-December is geared toward joining that group and bucking trends. "I feel like that's everybody's mind- set," Hamilton said. "If you're predicted to be undrafted, you want to compete to be drafted in the sixth, seventh [round]. If you're predicted top-10, you want to compete to be top-five. The whole sport itself and this process is about competing." KYREN WILLIAMS AND KEVIN AUSTIN JR. AMONG NOTRE DAME'S BEST OF THE REST Running back Kyren Williams' name appeared on several "NFL Combine los- ers" lists earlier this month. The former Notre Dame running back posted the slowest 40-yard dash time among those at his position at the league's annual scouting conven- tion (4.65 seconds). His 32-inch vertical placed him in the middle of the pack. His 9-foot, 8-inch broad jump tied for second shortest. Not the impression a player intent on proving he's more than a third-down or rotational piece wanted to leave. His status as a potential Day 2 pick and top- five running back prospect felt tenuous. It would be one thing if he were a bigger back. But he's 5-9 and 194 pounds. Hang on, says Kiper. The original NFL Draft guru and the father of mock drafts is adamant about not abandoning ship. He still thinks Williams has a claim to be Notre Dame's second player chosen next month after Hamilton. "Kyren Williams is underrated," Kiper said. "People are going to look at that 40 time — it doesn't matter. Emmitt Smith ran like 4.58, 4.6. I don't care about 40 times for running backs. "The quickness, the instincts, the vision, the breaking tackles, blocking, catching. Kyren Williams is a good foot- ball player. I'm not going to change my grade on him." PRO HOPEFULS Projected top-five pick Kyle Hamilton headlines Notre Dame's 2022 NFL Draft class Heading into April, Hamilton was holding steady as a projected top-five pick in mock drafts. Some analysts view him as the best player available regardless of position. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS